• Martina B Bireckoven, Wilhelm Niebling, and Iris Tinsel.
• Lehrbereich Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwig-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland. Electronic address: martina.bireckoven@saturn.uni-freiburg.de.
• Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes. 2016 Nov 1; 117: 45-55.

BackgroundDepression is a very common disease among the elderly. Various studies demonstrated the need to improve the care for elderly depressed patients. Within the GermanIMPACT trial specifically trained care managers were engaged to cooperate with general practitioners (GPs). This study investigates how GPs evaluate this cooperation and their attitude towards collaborative care.MethodsTo explore the perspective of GPs a qualitative study design with semi-structured interviews was chosen. The guideline-based interviews were conducted with GPs from the intervention group, the control group and with GPs who had decided not to participate in the trial. The interviews were audio-taped, fully transcribed and analysed.ResultsEighteen GPs were interviewed. Almost all GPs from the intervention group appreciated the support by care managers. Advantages they mentioned included their own relief by the committed conversation between patient and care manager, the continuous monitoring of the patients as well as the regular feedback via protocols. GPs who refused to take part in the study expressed different attitudes towards collaborative care.ConclusionDue to the general overall positive valuation of care managers as well as their positive attitude towards collaborative care a continuation of the IMPACT program in Germany should be considered. More investigation needs to be done to answer the question how care managers can be integrated in everyday primary care.Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

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